Goodbye Murrays at Manly, hello Rubber Duckie Taphouse

Well, here is some breaking news from Back of the Ferry. Murrays at Manly is no more. That statement might be a little absolute, because I think that maybe their beer will still dominate the taps at 49 North Steyne – but a venue called Murrays at Manly has ceased to exist. One of the toughest sites in Manly (maybe Sydney) to make work is 49 North Steyne and another victim has been claimed. The new venue, complete with new fit-out, new management, new menu and new name is the Rubber Duckie Taphouse. Now before anyone has a crack at the name (no, I’m not sold on it either), it is geographically relevant because the surf lifesavers use rubber duckies as an integral part of their operations. The livery of the signage also matches the colour scheme of the volunteer surf lifesavers.

The changeover or the new future?

So what’s happened? Well, as mentioned above, the 49 North Steyne jinx has bitten yet again. Murray’s is not the first big name to go down in this venue. Miguel Maestre, the celebrity chef of Spanish extraction, had a high profile crash and burn at this venue before Murray’s and no-one seems to last that long. By my estimation Murray’s clocked just a smidge of two years. As a regular patron, as an attendee of both opening nights and as a regular visitor to other Manly drinking holes, I’ve got a few theories I’d like to share.

Another changed fit out

Everyone wanted Murray’s at Manly to succeed. Manly folk were very proud that Murray’s had chosen Manly as his Sydney outlet – but it never really took hold. Sure there were a couple of nights where it was cheek to jowl. The Gerry Lopez evening was a stand-out example, and it worked well for that type of evening. More often than not, however, it wasn’t at capacity. Put simply, Murray’s at Manly never got its act together consistently. The menu constantly changed and the staff changed more than Melbourne weather and whilst often willing – never really built up a rapport. No-one was there long enough! Contrast that with the 4 Pines – consistent from the get go, and their staff have relationships with their customers and are passionate about the joint.

Spag bol jaffle popular

I had some great times at Murray’s, but I also had some shockers. The 2011 Father’s Day fiasco still causes my wife cold sweats where a four course meal took four hours to serve up. There was the false start where a really enthusiastic front of house guy – who had the right attitude in spades – disappeared very suddenly. There was the re-fit, which again took time to take hold and ultimately there was the real lack of a manager who knew what was going on. Some of the menus missed the mark by a long shot with pricing just totally out of whack with reality. It pains me to write this because I wanted Murray’s to work, and my @Untappd account is testament to how many chances I gave it, but it clearly hasn’t. Bummer.

Another new menu

So new management is in, there’s a new menu and there’s a new attitude. As I write this, our twitter account has been informed this is the first of many Rubber Duckie Taphouses. Each one will have the full range of Murray’s on tap. So there you go – a new distribution point for Murray’s. An inauspicious start – Manly was deserted because the food and wine festival was on and therefore it was raining – but I genuinely wish the new management all the best. Keep up the Murray’s, but also keep up the guest taps. I really enjoyed the Illawarra Rust and Pale.

27 Comments

sad to hear though only a matter of time I thought as well … the place always felt flat on the occasions i trundled in, food service appalling , and nothing like the welcoming feel at 4 pines … i think a taphouse with a constant variety of beers may stand a better chance … we’ll see …. shows it takes more than location and good beer to be successful ….

I think the front of house guy you were talking about was Miro Bellini from Beer Deluxe/GBW he had/has passion.
4 pines does it perfectly. Simple, good beer, good food, great people. Murrays should have rotated the taps more and made it more like a creative brew pub rather than a tied tap restaurant for a business in nelsons bay. A big shame. Everything they did felt like an after thought.

The guys at Murray’s pinged me to say that Murrays are still the owners, this is simply a “rebranded and renovated” new Taphouse concept which they hope to expand throughout the country, with the first cab off the rank being the Rubber Duckie Taphouse on Manly

Sounds like they are rebranding because they have pissed off to many local people and community organisations. What a farce.
Rubber Duckie hope you don’t offer as many menu changes as in the past, turn over the staff at an appauling rate, and have a laughable fit out. Pays not to be amateur in manly.

I completely agree with your opinion, i was very excited about Murrays coming to manly but sadly very disappointed. The first people that ran the place were awesome. Miro and co but the constantly changing staff and management was terrible especially staff that knew nothing about the beer. Menu never really hit the mark, they did have a few decent months under Simon with some awesome live music on sundays but that didn’t last long, but to be honest its got nothing on 4 pines Menu, atmosphere, service and their beers are catching up. I still think murrays beers are some of the best in Australia though

I feel the only thing done well down there were the beer dinner nights. i hope they continue

What a joke! Murray Howe the Angry Man himself is once again trying to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. Nothing will change because the owner is the same guy. If he ever loses his brewer he would be out of business in 6 months!

So have some friends in town this weekend and they were very keen to hit up a meal at Murrays (as was I – their Cheese burger is pretty much the best I’ve ever had). Imagine my surprise / dismay to see Murrays is no more.

We still ate and enjoyed a few beers, but seriously – so many things wrong with this place that I just can’t see it lasting more than 6 months.

– Food was appalling. Seriously I thought Murrays had it nailed (that Cheese burger was pretty amazing). The food last night was boring, expensive and not at all tasty (I had the Cheesy cheese burger).

– Atmosphere. I know it’ll sound snobby but a beautiful location right next to Australia’s premier beachside local (Pft Bondi) – and I’m having to listen to a mix of Shania Twain, Queen, Shaggy and some other cr*p! Seriously, the best you can come up with is Shania Twain. Sorry, once more – SHANIA TWAIN! What is this, Rubber Duckie official restaurant of the city of Lame?

– The name, oh you know what just don’t get me started.

There’s so much on offer down in Manly nowadays, and often it can be hard to even get out of the Steyne. Like I say I just can’t see this working long term.

Its really in a tough spot, you come through the corso and see all the places on the right so you head that way. Its abot the 5 th or 6 th attempt. But you gotta please the locals ,especially in the winter. Good prices and BYO will get more people back again and again.
If not there too many other choices- good luck you’ll need it

Just had the worst meal of my life at the new Rubber Duckie. Swimming in grease and very random choice of foods. Murrays was my favourite restaurant with exceptional service and great food. When we entered, no guidance or greeting. Sunday Roast for two came on wooden platter swimming with grease with side plates to eat off. Will never go again for a meal. My husband says the beer is still good.

Murrays was a great venue, but too often overpriced and under capacity. You are completely right, the menu and management changed way too many times. Lets hope the new menu (looks a lot like the Steyne layout) is a bit more accessible.

Now onto the bad stuff.
I used to work there for about a year, don’t want to turn this into an emotional “I hate them” post but just thought people should know why Murrays does not exist as a business anymore.

1) They received a $20,000 fine against them for not having a liquor licensee
2) They fired all the foreign staff without notice, and consequently received notices from fair trade.
3)Murray had his daughter Ashley Howe put in as bar and restaurant manager after firing the previous two to keep staff costs down. Keeping it in the family and all. But she has zero hospitality experience, and expects to take on the role of 3 fully trained managers.
4) They fired their best music act, Ed and James, and ruined sundays at their venue, one of the last few nights Murray’s would do well. Then begged them to return when the reenue dropped.
5) They discontinued cocktails and only offer 2 pre-made slushies, which hint: one of the main ingredients was water. I had to make them, bloody disgusting.

Lets hope this behaviour didn’t get “re-branded” with the rest of their fit out.

Was at the rubber duckie on Sunday afternoon with a group of friends James and Ed were playing the place was buzzing, the meal was great and the view is the best in Manly.

The Murrays beers are some of the best craft beers us Aussies have to offer and we need to get behind them, as a Manly local I am proud that they have chosen our great beach to showcase. Come on guys give this place a go I spoke to James and Ed and they love playing this venue.

I had a lot of friends who worked there and quit because the management was so poor or were fired over the most petty things.
I got the feeling that Murray didnt really know the Manly area or the crowd he was trying to target when opening up in this location.
Hopefully they’ve figured a few things out by now…

Tried the Duck saturday night, i think its all been deflated. NO pizza on Saturday night, was told they had problems with the dough? They should of run downstairs to the pizza place and bought some. We odered the Deep South Sloppy Joe, where i come from a sloppy joe is beef in bbq sauceon a bun, this was a veggie sandwich if that, beetroot, onion ring a bit of lettuce for $24 bucks. You need DEEP pockets to pay for this. One of friends didnt even eat his. Its not worth commenting any more. I think the address is jinxed and boy this place has been jinxed

Hi Matt, I’ve had the same problem. Worked for these guys in March and April and still haven’t seen a cent. Lodged a Fair Work Ombudsman complaint, I would strongly suggest you do the same. My contract said that the company name is “Murray’s Hospitality Holdings Pty Ltd”. The ABN number for that is 34 148 969 993. Really hope this helps man. Also explain that you worked for the Restaurant called “Murrays” and that the name has recently changed to “Rubber Duckie” .

Some great beers (which is purely down to the head brewer Shawn), but the worst bar and Manager I have worked with in 7 years of Hospitality.

Beware!!! I worked for these guys on 2 occasions with lots of promises and no payment in the end. Still battling to get paid what I worked incredibly hard for! How disgraceful and cheap…. Clearly I’m not the only one after reading these comments….

I was really hoping for Murray’s to succeed. I think the location is great, specially on a nice day. I enjoyed the beers but the service was absolutely atrocious. The staff never had any sense of urgency and were particularly bad at serving the next person that stood in front of them instead of paying attention to who was actually next. The prices were a bit extreme too, but I don’t mind that so much if the service is actually decent. Big thumbs down from me. Not surprised they didn’t last. Let’s hope Rubber Duckie improves on this. I’m heading down tonight to check it out.

I though the place had a very unappealing vibe as Murrays. This striped, pastel candy coloured furnishings made it feel like a preschool, staff often seemed unenthusiastic, and the couple of employees there who seemed truly passionate about the craft beermovement were on minimum wage of $21/hr. Hardy an incentive.

Apparently the venue is no longer ‘Rubber Duckie’ but in a change of hands once more, is known as The Yardarm. I wish them great success.